1968

why was 1968 such a turning point in Vietnam Era?

leading up to 1968:

no clear winner of the war
increase in american forces in the SE Asia
Viet Cong proved to be the guiding force in south vietnam
us tries to "pacify" south vietnam

President LBJ remained determined- always pushed for a great society

optimistic reports are sent back
MacNamara sees the end of the war
overall, the pubic still supported America in Vietnam

The Tet Offensive: a holiday

an attack on US strong holds throughout southern vietnam by the VC
super different than every other war- it is televised! everyone back in the US is seeing the war
north vietnam attacks several american places in south vietnam
70,000 soldiers attacked the US soldiers
eventually developed in to a US victory! cuz they had flame throwing tanks
shook the public, who thought the enemy was close to defeat- thought war was almost over
LBJ blamed for the war not being almost over and we look like the bad guys
Americans are looking like the bad guys cuz the south vietnamese soldiers are terrible and we r fighting for them
congress cutes LBJs great society budget
LBJ is struggling!
Public opinion changes
us involvement in the war is openly criticized
new defense secretary states that the war seems unwinnable
the nation turns on johnson
johnson speaks about halting bombing and peace talks- says that he is done and wont run for president
4 days later MLK is assassinated!- causing violence and riots in every city of the US! cities are burning!
John Kennedy steps up and he runs for president! He helps united the nation
KENNEDY IS ASSASSINATED! - he would have won!
now it is McCarthy vs. Humphrey
the 1968 election: RIOTS AND POLICE AND BEATING AND YELLING AND SWEARING! - all on tv!!!
Humphrey (democrat) gets the vote and Nixon (republican) gets the nomination, wallace gets the third party
olympics! black power
NIXON WINS wins by less than a million votes
nixon: peace and honor!!!
important: public view of war is going down!

23.1968

1968